Rural Minn. districts want to maintain 4-day weeks

PELICAN RAPIDS, Minn. - Ten rural Minnesota school districts have gone to four-day weeks to save on transportation and other costs, but the state is pressuring them to return to a five-day school week.

A Minnesota Public Radio report says districts such as the Pelican Rapids School District don't want to change. Superintendent Deb Wanek says its curriculum is just as strong, and the move saves the district about $100,000 per year.

But the state education department wants schools to reconsider. Department spokesman Josh Collins says the commissioner wants districts to make decisions with the students' best interests in mind.

He says districts that went to a four-day week should be in better shape now because lawmakers approved $500 million in new education funds.

Several superintendents say the decision should be left up to the community.

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